04 April 2012

Swine-flu Prescription Harmful to Children

Story first appeared on TheRealNews.com

Scientists urge the government to rethink its strategy of giving swine flu anti-virals to some children because the harmful side effects outweigh the preventative benefits. A Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer is following the story, as this could result in instances of incorrect prescriptions given or complications as a result of prescription.

Researchers have found that Tamiflu and Relenza may only reduce symptoms by one day in children up to 12-years old - and balanced against potential side effects they say it's not worth the risk.

The authors of the study have called on the Department of Health to urgently rethink its strategy and believe a more conservative approach should be taken to treating swine flu in this age group.

And the drug had little or no effect on asthma flare-ups, ear infections or the likelihood of a youngster needing antibiotics. Their study found that Tamiflu caused vomiting in some children, which can lead to dehydration and complications. The drug tended to only reduce the illness by a single day, and caused cases of vomiting in children. Unfortunately, the side effects of vomiting in children is also in addition to the vomiting induced by the illness which could result in severe dehydration in children.

The Deputy Director of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine at the University of Oxford, told Channel 4 News at Noon that in any treatment you take the benefits of the treatment and relate them to the harms.